US Treasury Volatility Hits 9-Month High on Inflation Fears

• First BanCorp (NYSE:FBP) released its second-quarter 2026 financial results and hosted a corresponding earnings call on Wednesday. • The company reported a positive future outlook, maintaining loan growth guidance of 3% to 5% for the 2026 fiscal year.

• Major U.S. stock indexes remained largely flat on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, showing minimal movement despite volatility in other sectors. • The stagnation occurred as oil prices rose by an additional 3%, putting potential pressure on energy costs and inflation.

• UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel indicated that a potential acquisition of Commerzbank could occur in the fourth quarter of this year. • Orcel noted that the two institutions remain "very different," meaning several operational alignments must be completed before a full merger can be finalized.

• South Korea's Kospi index surged 4% on Thursday, marking a total jump of 9% over three days following a significant market crash. • The rally was driven by chip stocks, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix climbing up to 6% amid robust AI spending plans from US tech giants.

• The KOSPI index failed to recover the 7,000-point mark and ended the trading session lower, reversing a previous 5% surge. • Market volatility triggered a buy-side sidecar, as gains in the semiconductor sector were erased, stripping the index of its upward momentum.

• On July 24, the Korean stock market recorded several corporate actions, including share cancellations by JB Financial Group, Hansae MK, and Daekyo. • Capital reductions were implemented by Dynamic Design and T'way Holdings, while ToolGen set its record date for new share allocations via a rights offering.

• U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín issued a temporary restraining order on Monday to pause the acquisition of Warner Bros. by Paramount's owners. • The ruling disrupts the timeline for the deal, which Paramount's owners had hoped to finalize within the current week.

• Wall Street institutions, including Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan, have signaled a market bottom for the KOSPI as the index dropped to the 6,000 range, urging investors to buy. • The financial landscape remains volatile, with the Japanese yen hitting a 40-year low and IBK halting variable-rate mortgages amid a broader lending shutdown.

• Japanese and South Korean stock markets experienced a significant rebound during the Asian trading session on July 23, driven by an investment boom in artificial intelligence. • The South Korean KOSPI Index closed up 4.40% at 7,096.82 points, marking its third consecutive day of gains.

• Alphabet reported second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, beating revenue expectations despite the company's stock price declining following the announcement. • The stock dip is primarily attributed to investor concerns over a projected increase in capital expenditures (capex) heading into 2026.

• European shares rose on Tuesday, driven by strong performance in the technology and mining sectors. • These gains helped offset market concerns regarding rising oil prices triggered by fresh strikes in the Middle East.

• Tryg A/S stock has remained steady as investors anticipate the company's upcoming financial results. • The Nordic non-life insurance group, listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen and part of the OMX Copenhagen 25 index, is being evaluated on its revenue growth and underwriting margins.